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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: An Unwelcome Summons
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From that moment on, he started seeing Adel in Adrian.
Forcing him to sleep, making sure he ate…
He was reminded of Adel in everything she did, right down to the way she checked on his complexion.
Even the way her tone was cold and overbearing, yet her eyes were endlessly warm.
It had reached the point where, in Luspell's eyes, Adrian and Adel were indistinguishable.
But there was no proof. It was all just a feeling.
That was why he couldn't confide in anyone.
Owen and Leonhart would surely think he'd fallen for her scheme.
Owen gently placed a hand on the shoulder of a pensive Luspell.
“I’m not trying to blame you, Luspell. Please don’t misunderstand.”
“...I hid the paper dolls before I left. Now we can spy on the Duchess anytime.”
“Yes, you did a great job.”
Though he'd hidden one in the useless guest room, the other was in the study, so it should be fine.
‘Somehow, I feel like I’ve betrayed my friends. My heart feels heavy…’
As Luspell silently lowered his head, Leonhart spoke.
“Luspell, are you saying that woman really made this all by herself?”
“I did come up with a few of the devices. But without the Duchess’s proposal, I never would have thought of them. I’m sure of that.”
Leonhart furrowed his brow and reviewed the proposal again.
He, who had attended the Academy with Adrian, knew just how absurd this was.
She was the type who brazenly refused even the assignments given by professors.
She’d say things like, ‘Who do you think you are, daring to give me work?’
‘And yet, she was hiding this kind of skill… I don’t know what’s real and what isn’t about her.’
He calmly flipped through the proposal, then paused at the last page.
“This is…”
It was a bird's-eye view of the grand plaza.
The paths stretching in all directions from the central greenhouse, the surrounding trees, the wooden benches and quaint sculptures placed in every nook and cranny—everything was harmonious and beautiful.
But there was another reason he was surprised.
The atmosphere was remarkably similar to the drawings Adel used to sketch.
Of course, Adel had only ever scribbled on napkins or in the dirt, and there were differences if you looked closely.
So, this too could just be his imagination.
Just like feeling Adel's presence in Adrian.
‘But…’
The strange premonition he'd had in Adrian's bedroom a few days ago resurfaced.
The feeling that he needed to keep her close and monitor her.
On second thought, that might be for the best.
‘If I keep her close, it'll be easier to figure out what she's plotting.’
“You two will join the grand plaza construction project. Owen will be responsible for safety, and Luspell for the magical aspects.”
“I will, Your Highness.”
“Haa… alright.”
After pulling Luspell and Owen into the project, Leonhart summoned his aide.
“You called, Your Highness.”
“I must have an audience with His Majesty. We're returning to the palace.”
“Are you perhaps thinking of showing the proposal to His Majesty?”
“It seems our dear Duchess is dying to join the game. I suppose I should grant her wish.”
“...What do you mean by that?”
Leonhart smiled without a word.
***
『To Duchess Ivrante. His Majesty the Emperor was greatly pleased with your proposal for the grand plaza construction. As a result, the project will proceed according to your plan, and you have been appointed as an advisor. Congratulations.』
Congratulations?
‘Are they insane?’
*Crumple!*
I crumpled the letter from the Imperial Palace into a ball.
Fine, I can accept that the Emperor liked my proposal.
I don't get why Leonhart would show a stalker's plan to the Emperor in the first place, but I'll chalk that up to his ridiculously upright personality.
‘But why drag me into it? When did I ever say I wanted to be an advisor?!’
Why in the world do they need me?
I gave them the entire plan. All they have to do is follow it, so why the hell did they have to appoint me as an advisor!
‘Isn't this what that damn author was aiming for? Making me create the plan just to force me to join the project!’
“Ugh, my head.”
My head was really throbbing.
The more often I see Leonhart, the more certain I am that he'll either murder me or expose my identity. It's bound to be one or the other.
And I absolutely have to survive until the end without my identity being revealed.
Right now, Leonhart was number one on my list of threats.
Isn't that reason enough not to see him?
I should be avoiding him like my life depends on it, and now I'm supposed to be an advisor?
I tossed the brutally crumpled letter onto the silver tray held by the butler.
“I need to send a letter to His Majesty.”
“What should it say?”
“My thanks, but I must decline for health reasons…”
[Step 3: (Scoffs) It seems they have some discerning eyes, after all. Inform them that I accept the advisory position.]
‘That damn author… so this was your plan all along?!’
*Grind.*
I’m going to grind my teeth to dust. I forced my tense jaw to relax.
“Hmph. It seems they have some discerning eyes, after all. Inform them that I accept the advisory position.”
“…Weren’t you planning to decline?”
“Did you not hear me?”
“N-no, my lady. I will send it as instructed.”
The butler shot me a wary glance before slipping out of the room.
Left alone in the study, I clutched my head. My forehead was burning with frustration.
“Now I get it.”
The damn author wanted me and Leonhart to be on bad terms, but at the same time, was orchestrating things so we would run into each other frequently.
There was only one reason for such contradictory actions.
‘They want my identity to be revealed.’
Because if my identity is revealed, I can't return to my original world even after the novel ends.
‘I just don’t get it…’
Once Part 2 is over, I'll be nothing more than a foreign element in this story. So why are they so desperate to trap me here? Just why!
Huh? Wait a minute.
‘Don't tell me… you're planning to write a Part 3!’
No matter how much I wracked my brain, there was no other reason.
I laughed hollowly.
Has this damn author gone completely insane?
‘You promised you wouldn't write it! You said this was the grand finale!’
I didn't realize it at the time, but thinking back, the promise had many loopholes.
‘Right, they promised not to write a Part 3, but they never promised to quit writing altogether, did they? That damn author is planning to shove me into another one of their stories.’
Goosebumps broke out on my arms. The author's obsession was just that creepy.
‘I'll hide my identity no matter what. Let's see who comes out on top.’
Still, it was a relief that I only had to be careful around Leonhart.
If I had to deal with Owen and Luspell too, I really would've lost my mind.
Just then, the butler carefully opened the study door.
“My lady.”
“What is it?”
“An invitation has arrived from the Third Prince.”
“An invitation?”
Leonhart isn't the type to enjoy parties.
“Bring it here.”
Invitation
◈ Subject: Briefing on the Grand Plaza Construction Proposal (Presenter: Adrian Ivrante)
◈ Location: The Third Prince's Palace
◈ Time: Tomorrow, 10 PM
Your attendance is requested.
I burst out laughing while reading the invitation.
I hadn't even sent my acceptance to the Emperor, and they were already telling me to attend a proposal briefing.
Doesn't this mean they expected me to take the advisory role?
- Rian! Is that a party invitation? Are we going to a party then?
“It's an invitation to attend a proposal briefing tomorrow. But it says I'm the presenter.”
- Oh dear. It seems they scheduled this without a single word of consultation with you, Lady Rian.
“What's even funnier is that the briefing is at 10 PM tomorrow night.”
- How'd they know you were so damn free?
“They probably would have set it for this time even if I wasn't.”
- Hmm? Why?
“To mess with me.”
- Does Lord Leonhart want a taste of Wind Cutter…? Lady Rian, you shouldn't go.
“I could just not show up. As long as I'm willing to put up with rumors that I'm ignoring an imperial command right from the get-go.”
- Fuck it, let them start rumors! Who's scared of rumors? A punch is what's scary. Right, Gnome?
- …
Of course, I had no intention of going.
‘It's not like I'll die from a rumor…’
[Step 3: Adrian called for Luna.]
Somehow, this felt ominous.
I shook the bell pull to call Luna.
“You called, my lady.”
[Step 3: I'll be visiting the Third Prince's Palace tomorrow night. Prepare my most extravagant dress.]
I knew it. It wasn't even surprising.
“I'll be visiting the Third Prince's Palace tomorrow night. Prepare my most extravagant dress.”
“Yes, my lady.”
Luna spoke emphatically, as if to say, ‘Leave it to me.’ I was already dreading just how resplendent a dress she would bring.
“...?”
Even though our business was finished, Luna didn't leave.
She lingered in the study, pretending to tidy up.
Seeing her back, damp with sweat, I was suddenly reminded of what happened a few days ago.
‘That's right. It's just like that time.’
That day, Luna was particularly unfocused.
She had been anxious all day, so lost in thought that she couldn't even hear my orders.
“Luna.”
“Yes, my lady!”
She scurried over, having been repeatedly pulling a perfectly fine book from the shelf only to put it back.
“Is there something you need me to do?”
“Say what you want to say.”
“Pardon?”
“You have something you want to say to me. Isn't that why you were lingering?”
